Posts tagged with "Reference"
Posted by aharder on 11/20/18
As a young girl growing up Portland, Ore., Mary Hamilton fondly recalls Saturday mornings spent with her dad hitting garage sales, scouring for treasures, “It was always the thrill of the hunt…whatever came our way, whatever caught our eye.”
Decades later, that same passion for ‘the hunt’ led the now Arlington Heights resident to the library’s Business Services department. Mary wanted to know – could she use her keen eye for collectible glassware to start her own online business? She scheduled an appointment and met one-on-one with a business specialist to help answer that question.
“That meeting 100 percent for sure was my motivation,” Hamilton said. “Having someone who knows the business world encouraging me made me feel like I was on the right path.”
The meeting resulted in a lot of practical advice, too, like establishing banking, obtaining a State of Illinois business license and structuring workflow. She also got tips on photography and marketing her products visually online.
“The best advice of all was that once you create your business, how important it is to stay focused and true to your brand,” she said.
As Hamilton began building her online shop, she enrolled in the library’s Quickbooks for the Small Business Owner and Creating a Business Presence on Facebook classes and continued to educate herself about collectibles by checking out reference books from the library.
The result of her efforts was Banbury Cross Vintage, an Etsy shop featuring vintage glassware and treasures. The online store has received visitors from around the world.
“When you’re starting a business, it can be intimidating because you are putting yourself out there,” Hamilton said. “But everyone at the library has been really supportive, and with it being the library you know there is no ulterior motive. No one is trying to sell you anything. They really are just there for you and supporting the community.”
Posted by aharder on 07/14/17
As of August 1, the AHML mobile app will be discontinued. You will still be able to manage your account, search our catalog, and register for programs on your phone or tablet using our mobile-friendly website, http://www.ahml.info.
We encourage our app users to bookmark our mobile menu screen at http://www.ahml.info/mobile.html. You will still be able to manage your account, search our catalog, place a hold and register for programs on your phone or tablet using our mobile-friendly website. The mobile site is accessible from any browser. By August 1, the library’s mobile website will have the added feature of allowing you to display your barcode on your mobile device. Navigate to My Account as of August 1, and you’ll see an option to display your library card’s barcode. You can then use this barcode at our self-checkout stations or at our Checkout Desk in the library.
Feel free to contact the library for assistance.
If you would like to create an icon on your device's home screen so you still can access our website quickly, follow the instructions below:
For Android Devices:
Chrome
1. Open the Chrome app
2. Navigate to ahml.info
3. Select the Options button (located in the top right corner of the app)
4. Select "Add to Home Screen"
5. Name your bookmark and click Add
6. You should now see a new icon on your phone's home screen
Firefox
1. Open the Firefox app
2. Navigate to ahml.info
3. Select the Options button (located in the top right corner of the app)
4. Select "Page"
5. Select "Add to Home Screen"
6. You should now see a new icon on your phone's home screen
For iPhone and Apple Devices
1. Open the Safari app
2. Navigate to ahml.info
3. Tap the Share button at the bottom of the screen
4. Select "Add to Home Screen"
5. Name your bookmark and save it
6. You should now see a new icon on your phone's home screen
If you have any questions, please contact the library for assistance
Posted by daccurso on 06/15/09
Information Services Manager Jason Kuhl spoke to the Arlington Heights Noon Rotary Group recently about the services his department offers. He highlighted questions that our librarians answer for customers at the Answer Center, like what can be done about racoons in your house or what is the most popular New Year's resolution and how often is it kept. (By the way, the most popular resolution is, as you might guess, weight loss, but about 92% of the time, it is not achieved.)
Kuhl encouraged audience members to contact the Answer Center with their questions, whether it is to settle a bet, find consumer information, get driving directions, find out about village ordinances, get answers to trivia questions and much more. Call the Answer Center at 847-506-2633, or email, text or live chat with your question.
Posted by aharder on 11/20/18
Need to replace the dome light on your 2006 Honda Civic LX? Fix the carburetor on your Toro walk-behind mower? The library now offers access to the AutoMate auto repair database and the Small Engine Repair Reference Center.
AutoMate covers vehicles back to 1974 and includes service information, technical service bulletins, recall notes, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), maintenance schedules, estimated labor times and more.
The Small Engine Repair Reference Center provides detailed yet user-friendly repair guides for small engines, including lawn equipment, motorcycles, boat motors/watercraft and more, covering both routine maintenance and advanced repairs.
Both AutoMate and the Small Engine Repair Reference Center can be used by library cardholders from home.
Posted by aharder on 03/16/18
The Illinois Primary Election occurred on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Early voting occurred March 5 through 19.
We gathered some valuable information about the election to help you as you learn about candidates and get ready to vote.
Register to Vote
Register to vote online at the Cook County Clerk’s Office until March 4. After that, you can take part in Grace Period Registration and Voting up to election day. For that, you will need to bring two pieces of ID to a designated location. You can even register and vote on Election Day, in your home precinct at your polling place.
Your Voter Information Tool
Enter your address at the Cook County Clerk’s website to look up your polling place, a sample ballot, your early voting site, and your current elected officials.
Enter your address at the Cook County Clerk’s website to look up your polling place, a sample ballot, your early voting site, and your current elected officials.
Learn About Candidates
As you prepare for Election Day, you can learn more about candidates from various sources:
• Chicago Sun Times 2018 Illinois Primary Voting Guide
• Chicago Tribune endorsements
• Chicago Tribune candidate surveys
• Daily Herald news, endorsements, profiles, etc.
• Illinois State Bar Association Judicial Evaluations
• Chicago Bar Association Judicial Evaluations (2018 coming soon)
As you prepare for Election Day, you can learn more about candidates from various sources:
• Chicago Sun Times 2018 Illinois Primary Voting Guide
• Chicago Tribune endorsements
• Chicago Tribune candidate surveys
• Daily Herald news, endorsements, profiles, etc.
• Illinois State Bar Association Judicial Evaluations
• Chicago Bar Association Judicial Evaluations (2018 coming soon)
For additional information, some organizations also perform fact checking and publish articles:
• Ballotpedia Illinois: A nonpartisan and nonprofit online encyclopedia of American politics and elections.
• Politifact Illinois: A Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking website.
• Ballotpedia Illinois: A nonpartisan and nonprofit online encyclopedia of American politics and elections.
• Politifact Illinois: A Pulitzer Prize-winning fact-checking website.
Looking for more information? Contact a Specialty Info Services Librarian at questions@ahml.info.
Posted by aharder on 10/16/18
Homework Helpers in the Library
Teen volunteers are available in Kids' World select Wednesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
See the calendar for dates.
Struggling with a class or need homework help? Teen volunteers can assist with completing homework assignments or practicing skills. Check ahml.info for a complete list of times when Helpers are available.
See the calendar for dates.
Struggling with a class or need homework help? Teen volunteers can assist with completing homework assignments or practicing skills. Check ahml.info for a complete list of times when Helpers are available.
Online Tools for Research, Homework and More
Encyclopedia Britannica: The world-renowned reference tool, with articles, images, videos and helpful links on almost every topic (countries, people, animals, science, etc.). Three versions: For Children, For Young Adults and Reference Center. 1st grade-adult.
Student Resources in Context: Reference articles, overviews and magazine journal articles on all topics. Helpful at term paper time! 5th grade-adult.
PebbleGo: For emergent readers--short articles and videos about animals, science, biographies and social science. Grades K-2.
Core Concepts (Biology, Chemistry & Periodic Table): Overview articles to help understand important scientific principles. Grades 7-12.
CultureGrams: Detailed overviews of all the world’s countries: government, population, daily life, etc. Grades 3-12.
Visual Thesaurus: Love wordplay? Use Visual Thesaurus to explore connections between words and build your vocabulary. Read fun, informative articles about the interesting ways in which we use words. There’s even an online spelling be you can join. Also great for ESL learners. 6th grade-adult.
Testing & Education Reference Center: Online test prep for ACT, the new SAT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GED etc., as well as several vocational tests (ASVAB, PRAXIS, etc.) and language/citizenship tests. High school students can do college and scholarship searches, and job seekers can use a resume-building tool. 10th grade-adult.
National Geographic Kids: Pictures, books and magazine articles about animals, science, history, cultures, the environment and more. Grades K-8.
Find more resources for students at:
http://www.ahml.info/kids/school_help
http://www.ahml.info/teens/study
http://www.ahml.info/category/databases/1488
http://www.ahml.info/kids/school_help
http://www.ahml.info/teens/study
http://www.ahml.info/category/databases/1488
Posted by paichele on 01/30/17
What is fake news?
The Internet is full of viral misinformation. Fake news is a false news story designed to look like credible information and makes it difficult to decipher fact from fiction. Fake news typically spreads fast online. How can we wade through it? Always reflect on how you encountered the story. Was it promoted on a website? Did it show up in a social media feed? Was it sent to you by someone you know? Trace the story to its original source.
The Internet is full of viral misinformation. Fake news is a false news story designed to look like credible information and makes it difficult to decipher fact from fiction. Fake news typically spreads fast online. How can we wade through it? Always reflect on how you encountered the story. Was it promoted on a website? Did it show up in a social media feed? Was it sent to you by someone you know? Trace the story to its original source.
Here are some other helpful steps to analyze news sources and tools for fact checking.
Put it to the CRAAP Test:
Currency—Can you find a date of the article or photograph? When was it last updated?
Relevance—Who is the intended audience? How does the source meet your needs?
Accuracy—Is the information supported by evidence? Does it cite other sources?
Authority—Who is the author? What are their credentials?
Purpose—Does the site give facts or opinions? Does it have a clear bias?
Is it true? Check out these unbiased fact-checking websites:
Snopes
Independent, self-sufficient entity wholly owned by its operators who investigate rumors.
Independent, self-sufficient entity wholly owned by its operators who investigate rumors.
Factcheck
Non-partisan, non-profit which acts as a consumer advocate for voters. A project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Non-partisan, non-profit which acts as a consumer advocate for voters. A project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania
Politifact
Independent fact checking website created by the Tampa Bay Times newspaper. PolitiFact has won the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting
Independent fact checking website created by the Tampa Bay Times newspaper. PolitiFact has won the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting
Where does the bias lie in the media?
Check out this study from the Pew Research Institute
Other resources and articles about Fake News
When Fake News Stories Make Real News Headlines
When Fake News Stories Make Real News Headlines
Looking for more information? Contact a Specialty Info Librarian at questions@ahml.info.
Posted by aharder on 06/14/17
Heading abroad over the summer? Make sure to learn the language. The library offers a number of free online language-learning tools:
• Little Pim: Fun, easy lessons for kids, pre-K to 2nd grade. It covers Spanish, French, Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Hebrew, English, German, Arabic, Russian.
• Mango Languages: Lively introductory lessons for 72 languages. Special “Conversations” lessons give you a quick-start. Some language lessons also have full-length foreign-language feature films (for adult audiences) to help improve your language comprehension.
• Pronunciator: Covers over 80 languages. Many have “8-Week Travel Prep” lessons and scheduled “Live Conversation” sessions that let you talk in real-time with a Pronunciator representative. Kids can use their special “Young Learners” lessons. Pronunciator is a more in-depth resource and includes a special evaluation tool to help improve your pronunciation skills.
Both Mango and Pronunciator are also valuable tools for learning English as a Second Language (ESL).
Find all three at ahml.info/onlinelearning, and our Kids’ School Help page.
Posted by aharder on 08/11/17
The library is now offering cardholders access to a new database called Pivot, a major resource for researching grants and funding opportunities. Pivot is intuitive and easy to use. Customers can use Pivot to research grant sources for organizations, small businesses and individuals.
Just some of the areas included in Pivot's research include STEM Education, Clean Technology, Energy Industry, Sustainable Design, Green Buildings, Cloud Computing and Urban Farming.
Learn more by visiting Pivot from our Online Databases page.
Posted by aharder on 11/20/18
The Arlington Heights Memorial Library announced the appointment of Mike Driskell as the new Executive Director following a unanimous vote by the Board of Library Trustees at its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, November 20.
Driskell “is the best leader for our library,” said Board of Library Trustees President Debbie Smart, “His honesty, integrity and demonstrated work ethic are impressive. The board has the utmost confidence in Mike Driskell as a person who has the vision, values, professionalism and dedication to continue moving the library forward in addressing the needs of our community.”
The board engaged executive search firm John Keister and Associates in Vernon Hills to conduct a national search to fill the position in June 2018. Keister worked with the board to present a group of four finalists earlier this month.
A 13-year veteran of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, Driskell has served as the interim executive director since September 2017. He was named the library’s director of administration in November 2016, following 11 years of service as the information technology manager. Driskell has an undergraduate degree in computer information systems from Elmhurst College and is enrolled in the Master of Library and Information Science program at Dominican University.
An Arlington Heights resident since 2005, Driskell is an active member of the Arlington Heights community and served as the 2017 chairman of the board of directors at the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce.
